Who Is Responsible for the Electricity Meter in a Rental Property in Malta?

The lease agreement should clearly state who is responsible for paying electricity and water charges and how those charges will be calculated and collected.

The landlord and tenant should record the electricity and water meter readings when the tenancy begins. The readings should appear in the signed inventory or handover report and should be supported by dated photographs.

The parties should determine whether the utility account will remain in the landlord's name or whether the tenant will be registered with ARMS as the consumer. Any required ARMS forms should be completed promptly.

Tenants should be given sufficient information to understand and verify the utility charges attributed to them. Where the landlord receives the bill, the tenant should be able to request a copy rather than relying only on an unexplained amount.

The landlord and tenant should also check which residential tariff applies and whether the correct number of occupants is registered. Incorrect account information may affect how charges are calculated.

A tenant should not tamper with, bypass or modify an electricity meter. Suspected faults, unusual readings or safety issues should be reported to the landlord and the appropriate utility provider.

When the tenancy ends, both parties should take final dated photographs of the meters. The final readings help distinguish the outgoing tenant's consumption from charges arising after departure.

Outstanding utility charges should be calculated using actual bills and recorded readings wherever possible. Any deduction from the deposit should be supported by evidence rather than an unsupported estimate.

Electricity or water should not be disconnected as a way of pressuring a tenant to pay rent or leave the property. Disputes should be addressed through written communication and the appropriate legal procedure.